Man incarcerated in Iowa charged in Illinois death

FREEPORT (AP) — A man currently incarcerated in Iowa has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 2012 shooting death of 48-year-old Victoria Strong of Freeport.

The (Freeport) Journal-Standard reports (http://bit.ly/GLoZ5h) that in addition to murder, LaShawn Thurman of Freeport is charged with attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of a weapon by a felon.

Strong was shot in the leg during an altercation between two groups at a Freeport party on Sept. 23, 2012 that spilled out onto the street. The groups exchanged gunfire, during which Strong was the only person wounded. She died six days later at Rockford Memorial Hospital.

Stephenson County Assistant State's Attorney Carl Larson said Tuesday that Thurman is beginning a sentence up 25 years for a violation of Iowa's illegal substance laws.